New Delhi, July 25: The Global Climate Action Summit, taking place in September in San Francisco, has announced the inclusion of China ’s Special Representative for Climate Change Affairs Xie Zhenhua as its fifth Co-Chair. Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd Chairman Anand Mahindra is among the panel of summit Co-Chairs. An announcement in this regard was made in San Francisco on Tuesday.

The Global Climate Action Summit, taking place from September 12-14, will bring leaders and people together from around the world to “take ambition to the next level”. It will be a moment to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of states, regions, cities, companies, investors and citizens with respect to climate action, a statement by the summit organisers said.

Minister Xie has for many years represented the Chinese government with distinction at both the national and international level, including as China’s chief negotiator for the landmark 2015 Climate Change Agreement (COP21). “All the Parties are devoting efforts to the completion of the negotiation on the Paris Agreement Work Programme at Katowice (COP24), in order to lay the firm foundation for the implementation of the Paris Agreement and Nationally Determined Contributions,” Xie said. The summit also serves as a launchpad for faster and deeper worldwide commitments and accelerated action from countries, supported by all sectors of society, that can put the globe on track to prevent dangerous climate change and realize the historic Paris Agreement. Further, the summit will pave the way for leaders, including heads of state and ministers, to announce more ambitious national climate plans at the United Nations General Assembly and Climate Week in New York, COP24 in Poland and the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Leaders’ Summit in September 2019. (IANS)